DHAKA , Mar 9: Bangladesh premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been granted a break from all forms of cricket till April 30 to deal with “mental stress” and “fatigue”, ruling him out of the upcoming South Africa series that runs till April 8.
The nearly two-month break would mean that Shakib will also miss the Dhaka Premier League, where he was expected to play for Mohammedan Sporting.
Following Bangladesh Cricket Board’s decision, the local club is now mulling to appeal to the BCB.
The 34-year-old, who was not picked by any of the IPL franchises, was initially named in the ODI and Test squads for the South Africa tour.
But following his comment that he felt like a “passenger” in the team after Bangladesh’s recent series against Afghanistan, where he made 74 runs and took seven wickets in three ODIs and two T20Is, the country’s cricket board has decided to give him a much-needed break.
“He’s mentally stressed and fatigued. He told me at this point of time, he is not enjoying any form of cricket,” BCB cricket operation chairman Jalal Yunus told reporters on Wednesday.
“He always said one thing that he is not enjoying, unfit and not ready. Since he’s ‘mentally fatigued and physically stressed’, after discussion with the CEO and the president, we have decided to give him rest from all forms of cricket till April 30.”
“Shakib is an all-rounder, an important player for us. We have the World Cup coming up, We want him for one more big series and if a player wants to skip and not enjoying, we want to give him complete rest and spend time with his family.” (PTI)
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